SEPTA Expands Network with Two New Routes

SEPTA adds Routes 72 and 76, expands high-frequency service in first redesign since 1960s

SEPTA Adds Two Routes in Network Redesign

Philadelphia's SEPTA will add two new bus routes and boost service frequency across the system as part of its first major network overhaul in 60 years, transit officials said. The New Bus Network will increase the number of high-frequency routes from eight to 29, with buses running every 15 minutes or less seven days a week. The changes take effect in three phases starting August 2026 and continuing through June 2027.

Context

The comprehensive redesign, previously called the Bus Revolution, aims to make Philadelphia's bus system more efficient, reliable, and easier to navigate, according to SEPTA. The agency plans to eliminate multiple routes that are redundant and have low ridership while expanding service on busier corridors. Officials said no one in the city should be more than a few blocks from a bus stop after the changes take effect. The overhaul represents the transit system's first major restructuring since the 1960s, reflecting decades of shifts in where Philadelphians live, work, and travel.

Key Details

Route 72 will connect Cedarbrook Plaza and Frankfort Transit Center along Cheltenham Avenue, providing new east-west service across North Philadelphia. Route 76 will provide north-south service from Crescentville to Fishtown and Center City along Columbus Boulevard, linking neighborhoods that currently lack direct transit connections. The plan also increases late-night and weekend service across the network. Some riders have expressed concerns about eliminated routes and their impact on commuters, though officials haven't specified which routes will be cut or how many riders will be affected.

Timeline

SEPTA will implement the changes in three phases starting in August 2026 and continuing through June 2027, officials said. The agency will run an awareness campaign over the next five months, with ambassadors at bus stops and transit centers to inform riders about the upcoming changes. Officials haven't provided specific dates for when each phase will begin or which routes will change in each phase.

Rider Impact

Riders on the 29 high-frequency routes will see significantly improved service with buses arriving every 15 minutes or less throughout the week, including evenings and weekends. Those currently using routes slated for elimination will need to adjust their commutes, though SEPTA officials said alternative service will remain within a few blocks of all city residents. Moovit provides real-time bus arrival information and trip planning for SEPTA's network as the changes roll out.